I would have thought that people would be happy about this. A team that just got our of serious financial problems can use all of the money they can get and this seems pretty big. They also said this was just the start.

Everyone here knows that the Devils are a small market team located right in between two power house franchises. A team like the Devils almost has to make moves like this to stay competitive in this market (not so much the team itself but as a small market franchise). Actually with more sponsors will probably come more spending money on the team as well so as people have pointed out maybe we can spend to the cap again.

This can only be good news for the franchise. I liked JVBK as an owner but this team needs these new guys. Guys with a modern take on how to run the franchise. I'd honestly rather have cut throat business men as the owners of this team than a fan. We needed a change and we got it.

With online gambling being legal in NJ, I wonder if the end-game isn't to have laptops\tablet station(s) within the Fire & Ice Bar, so that you could just swipe your credit card and play. Perhaps that's why they altered the attendance capacity this season? --preparation to renovate the Fire & Ice bars into more of a PartyPoker interactive parlor lounge. If the sum of money the Devils are getting paid is that significant, PP might have grand plans within the Rock.. beyond just a couple of decals, or a sign.

Interesting theory, and you're absolutely right. Capacity in a building directly affects how many bathrooms, toilets, water fountains, corridor square footage, etc., are required. I could see a renovation happening for sure; neither party looked like this partnership was just happening for a few extra commercials or signage.

And I'm with you, I applaud Scott O'Neil; he has a vision and obviously is working hard to make this a very profitable organization, which will end well for all of us, I think. Too many Devils fans want us to remain the "mom-and-pop store" that Vanderbeek made us to be, but that worked so well for us then, didn't it?......

All of you complaining about this deal, whether because you have an issue with a gambling-related sponsorship or because you thought you were duped by the media hype they put into it, you'll all be loving this deal (and deals like it) when we can finally be a team that's capable of re-signing our future marquee players and will be able to sign new ones as the cap goes up astronomically in a few years. Stop grumbling, this type of thing is absolutely great news for our franchise and I'm sure there's a lot more to come with the ownership we have in place.

With online gambling being legal in NJ, I wonder if the end-game isn't to have laptops\tablet station(s) within the Fire & Ice Bar, so that you could just swipe your credit card and play. Perhaps that's why they altered the attendance capacity this season? --preparation to renovate the Fire & Ice bars into more of a PartyPoker interactive parlor lounge. If the sum of money the Devils are getting paid is that significant, PP might have grand plans within the Rock.. beyond just a couple of decals, or a sign.

Interesting theory, and you're absolutely right. Capacity in a building directly affects how many bathrooms, toilets, water fountains, corridor square footage, etc., are required. I could see a renovation happening for sure; neither party looked like this partnership was just happening for a few extra commercials or signage. I'm with you, I applaud Scott O'Neil; he has a vision and obviously is working hard to make this a very profitable organization.

..why else make such a big hoopla, if there wasn't something greater in the works? To even go so far as to say; "as part of the agreement, assets will be built within the arena for the fans" says it all imo. There are 2 bars within the arena. Online gambling is legal in the state. This seems too obvious to me. You could still keep one of the bars the way it is, and expand on the other one. Example; the Devils Ice Lounge -&- the PartyPoker Fire Lounge.

If they take money right there at the terminal to use as gambling money, then they would probably need a casino license for that. However, if you are just renting the computer like an old Internet cafe, it might be possible.

I think the only way you need a casino license, is if there's physical money being circulated. Cash on the tables, cash being dispensed out of slot machines, money traded for chips, etc. If the funds aren't tangible (ie; checking accounts and credit card numbers) as long as the gambling isn't sports related, and the corresponding state harbors legalized gambling, I don't see an issue. I could be wrong though.

All of you complaining about this deal, whether because you have an issue with a gambling-related sponsorship or because you thought you were duped by the media hype they put into it, you'll all be loving this deal (and deals like it) when we can finally be a team that's capable of re-signing our future marquee players and will be able to sign new ones as the cap goes up astronomically in a few years. Stop grumbling, this type of thing is absolutely great news for our franchise and I'm sure there's a lot more to come with the ownership we have in place.

can you quote someone in this thread who is complaining about the deal? It seems most are simply complaining over the fact that they hyped up the announcement so much.

can you quote someone in this thread who is complaining about the deal? It seems most are simply complaining over the fact that they hyped up the announcement so much.

Not only are there at least 2-3 examples in the previous pages, but I heard a ton of people at the game last night who seemed annoyed that we landed a big sponsorship deal and Kevin Clark just had to announce it; like nothing our new owners do is good enough... not to mention seeing plenty of those kinds of comments on Facebook, etc... But yeah there are enough examples here and I really don't feel like quoting and getting into personal spats with anyone.

I'm just of the opinion that this kind of announcement IS a big deal, and it probably means more to our franchise and our finances than we little ones comprehend at the moment.

Edit: there's way more than 2-3 examples. I really don't wanna get in a tit-for-tat with anyone so I won't post the 8 blatant examples of F'ing useless whining that I just "Multiquoted", calling people out personally doesn't really do any good for anybody. I don't know what's wrong with a little positivity on my part. B-win company injects a ton of sponsorship money into sports organizations abroad, it's no coincidence they're all some of the most funded and successful franchises in their respective leagues, so I think this is a good move, that simple.

No interest at all in poker, gambling, or anything associated with either, as far as I'm concerned.

But if all of this puts the Devils on rock-solid financial footing, can't see what the real downside is.

A guy like VBK has a certain appeal and charm, in that he's kind of "one of us", but in the end he couldn't afford to keep the team. The new guys probably aren't as "likable", but from all accounts it looks like they want to build something pretty big, and they want the Devils to be a big part of it. They have a vision for the Devils that's clearly different than anything anyone ever had for this franchise before, and I think it will be years before we see where it all goes. But it's hard not to be at least happy about the Devils appearing to have serious financial security when that seemed to be a serious issue that was only getting worse before VBK sold the team.

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THE NHL MUST LOVE THE DEVILS - from who else? A RANGER fan![Mark Messier]: A big, bald attention whore with a stupid Easter Island-lookin face. - from who else? DaneykoIsGod!

Even when Marty comes back maybe Larry should put Clemmensen to be on the goal during the shootouts.Can the coach do that ? Switch the goalies 5 seconds to go in overtime? - Most priceless quote ever posted on a message board.

Martin Brodeur: THE MOST ALL-TIME WINS!, 12 straight seasons of 30+ wins, 3 Stanley Cups, 4 Vezina Trophies, and zero respect from too many so-called Devils "fans" who are either too young or too bandwagon to remember the much darker days of Sean Burke, Craig Billington, Bob Sauve, Alain Chevrier, and the talented but overwhelmed Chico Resch, among many others.

It's easy to support a great player when he's playing at his very best. It takes a true fan to support that same player during those rare moments and stretches when he's not. Babe Ruth went 0-4 some games, and sometimes Wayne Gretzky was held pointless. There may be such a thing as greatness, but no such thing as absolute perfection every single night.

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Not only are there at least 2-3 examples in the previous pages, but I heard a ton of people at the game last night who seemed annoyed that we landed a big sponsorship deal and Kevin Clark just had to announce it; like nothing our new owners do is good enough... not to mention seeing plenty of those kinds of comments on Facebook, etc... But yeah there are enough examples here and I really don't feel like quoting and getting into personal spats with anyone.

I'm just of the opinion that this kind of announcement IS a big deal, and it probably means more to our franchise and our finances than we little ones comprehend at the moment.

Edit: there's way more than 2-3 examples. I really don't wanna get in a tit-for-tat with anyone so I won't post the 8 blatant examples of F'ing useless whining that I just "Multiquoted", calling people out personally doesn't really do any good for anybody.

I agree with you, I think anyone complaining about the deal is not looking big picture or is stuck in the past. It just seems to me that the vast majority here favor it and, most importantly, think it signifies a big step for the organization as far as being progressive.

No interest at all in poker, gambling, or anything associated with either, as far as I'm concerned.

But if all of this puts the Devils on rock-solid financial footing, can't see what the real downside is.

A guy like VBK has a certain appeal and charm, in that he's kind of "one of us", but in the end he couldn't afford to keep the team. The new guys probably aren't as "likable", but from all accounts it looks like they want to build something pretty big, and they want the Devils to be a big part of it. They have a vision for the Devils that's clearly different than anything anyone ever had for this franchise before, and I think it will be years before we see where it all goes. But it's hard not to be at least happy about the Devils appearing to have serious financial security when that seemed to be a serious issue that was only getting worse before VBK sold the team.

Plus PartyPoker is probably the biggest sponsorship deal the Devils have made in the last 4-5 years. JVB burned so many bridges with sponsors over the last few years of his ownership (and probably contributed to his financial difficulties) that this is the first step in the right direction and like you and others have said puts the Devils on sounder financial footing.

The Verizon Tower fiasco with JVB is the most perfect example of this ineptitude with sponsors and I can also name Panasonic as a former sponsor who skipped town a few years ago as well.

..why else make such a big hoopla, if there wasn't something greater in the works? To even go so far as to say; "as part of the agreement, assets will be built within the arena for the fans" says it all imo. There are 2 bars within the arena. Online gambling is legal in the state. This seems too obvious to me. You could still keep one of the bars the way it is, and expand on the other one. Example; the Devils Ice Lounge -&- the PartyPoker Fire Lounge.

Perfect area for me is the Goal Bar. It has a full bar already, doesn't require that you have specialized seats there (a la Fire/Ice Lounges), they do have security check IDs from time to time, and they already have tables/stools set up; that'd be a no-brainer for me to plop some tablets (like Laguardia Airport) and see how it pans out.

Yes, on one hand, you're creating something in the arena that gets some "fans" out of their seats and distracts them with something elsewhere in the arena.

But on the other hand, that type of stuff (and other moves like it) is the kind of extra arena experience that draws in that last missing group of 1000-2000 random fans to fill up the building; so a few hundred people missing from their seats now and then doesn't affect much.

Places like Red Bull Arena, and even Citi Field I think, have cordoned off areas like a beer garden, and other draws and activities. Those little things (not just limited to online poker, obviously) go a long way to attracting the average fan who isn't necessarily interested in paying $20-50 to go see the Devils win 1-0. I hate on Madison Square Garden all the time, but there's a little bit of that element of "attracting the casual fan" that our building can surely use and I think our new owners believe in that big-time. Our building might not be full every night but I'd say we have more fans in our team's jersey than you'll see in Madison Square Garden or Air Canada Centre. Our downfall is not being able to attract the casual fans; it surely got harder to so without Parise or Kovalchuk as our posterboys. We just need to fill in the blanks with the randoms and we'll have a nice crowd. On-ice success and a playoff run will obviously help.

Plus PartyPoker is probably the biggest sponsorship deal the Devils have made in the last 4-5 years. JVB burned so many bridges with sponsors over the last few years of his ownership (and probably contributed to his financial difficulties) that this is the first step in the right direction and like you and others have said puts the Devils on sounder financial footing.

The Verizon Tower fiasco with JVB is the most perfect example of this ineptitude with sponsors and I can also name Panasonic as a former sponsor who skipped town a few years ago as well.

Could you clarify on the "burning bridges" comment? And the Verizon Tower fiasco? I have no knowledge of this stuff, really curious to hear what he did.

This is a great deal for the Devils. Closing big sponsorship deals is an absolute must in sports. The Devils have a great building that is fairly busy yet many areas of the building do not have sponsorship which is unacceptable. Examples: Fire Lounge, Verizon Tower (previous sponsor) the restaurant (formerly Acela Club). I will be at the game tomorrow and I hope to see party poker plastered everywhere. This new ownership group is 100% doing the right thing for the financial health of the franchise. And I do believe the Rock can use a face lift already. The fire/ice lounges are dated. The TV's around the arena are huge and not HD quality. Can we get some lights in the entry Towers? No idea why both towers are completely dark. I'm sure these issues will be addressed in time.

So the same ownership group that doesn't want HEY YOU SUCK yelled in front of the children now has no problem handing them party poker t-shirts.... #JustSayin....

I still think that came from Lou more than the owners. It's not as if they didn't try to get rid of it before (or that Lou hasn't frowned on 'non classy' things before like the No Blue slogan a couple years ago), and it's hard for me to believe their first initiative after buying the team was to change a goal song they probably never heard of. How they handled it later on was completely tone deaf but I don't think they initiated that.

And it is funny people think they're being hypocrites now when they already had lottery ticket machines and a stand inside the building lol

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"The Devils have high standards, that's the difference. We have a standard to live up to every year, and a couple of teams in our area don't have the standards we do." - Pat Burns

The New Jersey Devils win Stanley Cups everywhere:-NHL record for most road wins in the playoffs - 10-1 in '95 and 10-2 in '00-NHL record for most home wins in the playoffs - 12-1 in '03

I still think that came from Lou more than the owners. It's not as if they didn't try to get rid of it before (or that Lou hasn't frowned on 'non classy' things before like the No Blue slogan a couple years ago), and it's hard for me to believe their first initiative after buying the team was to change a goal song they probably never heard of. How they handled it later on was completely tone deaf but I don't think they initiated that.

And it is funny people think they're being hypocrites now when they already had lottery ticket machines and a stand inside the building lol

That thing was hilarious. When they opened it up, it was like these people had never been able to buy lottery tickets before. 20-30 deep lines to buy lottery tickets at a hockey game.

I still think that came from Lou more than the owners. It's not as if they didn't try to get rid of it before (or that Lou hasn't frowned on 'non classy' things before like the No Blue slogan a couple years ago), and it's hard for me to believe their first initiative after buying the team was to change a goal song they probably never heard of. How they handled it later on was completely tone deaf but I don't think they initiated that.

And it is funny people think they're being hypocrites now when they already had lottery ticket machines and a stand inside the building lol

I dont buy that it was Lou's decision. if Lou wanted it gone under VBK, then it would have been gone. In a heartbeat.

Just started a thread to see if anyone feels the same way. More out of curiosity than anything else.

0

THE NHL MUST LOVE THE DEVILS - from who else? A RANGER fan![Mark Messier]: A big, bald attention whore with a stupid Easter Island-lookin face. - from who else? DaneykoIsGod!

Even when Marty comes back maybe Larry should put Clemmensen to be on the goal during the shootouts.Can the coach do that ? Switch the goalies 5 seconds to go in overtime? - Most priceless quote ever posted on a message board.

Martin Brodeur: THE MOST ALL-TIME WINS!, 12 straight seasons of 30+ wins, 3 Stanley Cups, 4 Vezina Trophies, and zero respect from too many so-called Devils "fans" who are either too young or too bandwagon to remember the much darker days of Sean Burke, Craig Billington, Bob Sauve, Alain Chevrier, and the talented but overwhelmed Chico Resch, among many others.

It's easy to support a great player when he's playing at his very best. It takes a true fan to support that same player during those rare moments and stretches when he's not. Babe Ruth went 0-4 some games, and sometimes Wayne Gretzky was held pointless. There may be such a thing as greatness, but no such thing as absolute perfection every single night.

#30 FOREVER!

20 out of 1,946 njdevs.com members agree: CR1976 is the Most Knowledgable Poster of 2008! Victory is mine...oh yes, victory is mine!